Five utility poles topple in El Cajon

EL CAJON  Five utility poles toppled in an El Cajon residential area about 4:30 p.m. Thursday, leaving hanging live wires until power was cut off by San Diego Gas & Electric crews.

Some are power poles, and some are telephone poles, said Julie Wright, spokeswoman for SDG&E.

The poles fell on Mollison Avenue near Lexington Avenue. Several landed in the street, said Monica Zech, spokeswoman for Heartland Fire & Rescue.

No one was injured, and no vehicles or buildings were struck, Zech said.

It was not yet known what caused the poles to fall, Wright said. About 1,500 residents in the area were initially without power as repairs were made. By 11 p.m., that number was lowered to about 180 customers.

Zech said it appeared one pole fell, then the others toppled in a chain reaction.

El Cajon police blocked traffic on Mollison Avenue between Main Street and Washington Avenue. The closure was expected to remain in effect until Friday morning.

Residents were told to stay in their homes. As of about 8 p.m., residents who wanted to leave were being assisted by police and fire officials.